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Mesothelioma and asbestos claim

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could result in confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos claim without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells and the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. asbestos case fibers that are too small to be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.